The Xmas Furry
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https://www.gov.uk/driving-a-minibus All the info here
C1 License
- Thread starter ponynutz
- Start date
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Well-Known Member
Do not let them push you into driving anything with more than 8 seats. Do not let them tell you that it’s fine to drive the 12 seater with only 7 seats occupied. It’s not.
It’s your licence at stake. And when you have to declare driving other than in accordance with your licence to your own car insurer, we’ll that will get very expensive - IF they will cover you.
What TFF said ^^^^^
It’s all there for anyone to read.
Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
That refers to the weight though, not the number of seats? In the scenarios I would be asked to drive, we don't charge students anything- it wouldn't be "hire or reward". We're not a fee paying school.
That said, I think I will clarify with my union as to what the legal position actually is.
mavandkaz
Well-Known Member
Our school mini buses are 8 seaters, and we have 1 larger one (16/17).
'Anyone' can drive the small ones as long as you have done the MIDAS training, but only those with a D1 license can drive the big one. The guys I did my C1 through also do MIDAS training, but thought it was on the way out. Wishfilly, you could try your union, but as a union rep I don't think they will know the answer.
What's rediculous is that my head of department drives coaches as a side job, and is licensed to drive 40 seater single deckers, as has his Cat D license. But he wouldn't be able to drive my compact 6.5t horsebox as does not have his cat C. It makes no sense.
'Anyone' can drive the small ones as long as you have done the MIDAS training, but only those with a D1 license can drive the big one. The guys I did my C1 through also do MIDAS training, but thought it was on the way out. Wishfilly, you could try your union, but as a union rep I don't think they will know the answer.
What's rediculous is that my head of department drives coaches as a side job, and is licensed to drive 40 seater single deckers, as has his Cat D license. But he wouldn't be able to drive my compact 6.5t horsebox as does not have his cat C. It makes no sense.
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Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
I'm hoping the advice line will have an answer- I agree most reps may not know.
I don't think the guidance is very clear- it talks about weight on a post 1997 licence, not number of seats.
I know we're not allowed to drive them for trips we charge for, as that is "hire and reward".
mavandkaz
Well-Known Member
I had a quick look at the categories on the licence....the standard Cat B (so car) for post 1997 is up to 3.5t and up to 8 seats.
Pre 97 it's 8.5t and up to 16 seats.
Pre 97 it's 8.5t and up to 16 seats.
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Well-Known Member
The legal position is that you cannot legally drive a 12 seat minibus on your current Category B (car) licence. it matters not whether it is hire and reward or you are driving your next door neighbour’s Transit minibus with 9 seats taking your extended family on holiday.
From www.gov.uk
Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) with up to 8 passenger seats.You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM.
You can drive motor tricycles with a power output higher than 15kW if you are over 21 years old.
From this I would say that it’s very clear that you cannot drive a vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats. It doesn’t matter how many passengers seats are occupied- what matters is whether the vehicle is built or adapted to have 8 or more passenger seats.
Almost right - pre 97 it’s 8,250 kg.
@Wishfilly I know that we often say on here that you shouldn’t take advice from random strangers on the internet. On this occasion, please heed me and look at the advice on www.gov.uk that I have quoted above, Go and check it for yourself - please.
My day job is that I am Transport Manager for a bus company, so I really do know what I am talking about here. If you drive a vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats on your car licence, you are committing an offence. If your employer insists that you drive a 12 seater, another offence is committed.
And it is very likely that should something awful happen the insurance company will say that the conditions of insurance have not been complied with - and you/the school may find that the insurance is null and void.